By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Trichur, Jan 4, 2023: The Archdiocese of Trichur together with the general public has organized the annual Buon Natale (Merry Christmas) presenting nearly 15,000 Santa Clauses, or Christmas Papas.
The colorful and joyful program showed Santa, irrespective of age, dancing, walking, roller skating and on wheelchairs. More than 500,000 people watched the procession that started from St Thomas Ground before returning to the same ground after four hours.
The dancers came from 93 parishes of the archdiocese. “From my parish, Arimpoor, 400 dancers participated,” said Father Ajit Chittilappily, who was seen dancing in the process in Santa dress.
“The choreography of the dance on a video was sent to all parishes. We practiced for a week before the event,” he added.
Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur and the city mayor are the patrons of the program.
The procession also had 15 floats. The lead float was number 10 identifying the number of years since the start of the first procession.
Three cultures of Trichur – Hindu, Christian and Muslim – were presented by an equal number of people from each religion.
A float depicted a major issue haunting Kerala – the Mullaperiyar Dam, built in the late 19th century on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Some experts warn the dam could burst, bringing untold miseries to people living in five districts downstream.
Another float showed the members of the city cleaning group who clean up after every such program.
The brain child of Archbishop Thazhath, the program began in 2013, with the aim of raising funds for charity. The fund is raised by the contributions from various Catholic religious congregations, the archdiocese, business people and the government.
Every year the archdiocese builds houses or provides a piece of land for the homeless.
“This year we have started building one house and we are giving 15-cent land to 15 people,” said Father Geo Cheradai, working chairman of the program.
Father Cheradai, who was ordained eight years ago, began organizing the procession six years ago.
He said it took eight months to give shape to the idea, and the physical preparation about 2.5 months.
The preparatory team included 38 priests, 270 coordinators,100 central teams, and 1,000 volunteers.
During Covid times–2020-2021—the program was held on stage to ensure continuity.
what message were you trying to communicate by this extravaganza? how many houses might have been built with the money thrown away for the costumes? above all, is the huge effort of so many lay people prodded by the hierarchy, anything to do with the birth of Christ?
It is very true that the Church is wasting too much money for such celebrations whereas so many are suffering in front of us.
It’s really a praiseworthy event to share the joys of Christmas with the people of all faith. God’s Incarnate Son Jesus has taken a back seat. What Kerala diocese has done is a great lesson for other dioceses to bring people of all faith together to celebrate this unique event. In the spirit of harmony over 15,000 participated in this program to build bridges for peace n harmony. It’s the brain child of Archbishop Thazhath, with the aim of raising funds for charity to help the helpless n keeping the social teachings of the Church to implement such programs that can benefit the poor, homeless n penniless. Certainly such endeavours in other dioceses shud also be taken up seriously to address the needs of the poor n downtrodden.
However, in our profit driven market economy, event of Christmas is gradually commercialised. Santa plays a prominent role in this commercialisation. All need to understand the deeper mystery of Christmas which is God’s Incarnate love descending in the lives of people especially the poor , rejected n marginalised. Tagging social concerns with the spirit of Christmas is certainly the best way to celebrate our yearly Christmas event, Word becoming flesh.
Catholic church of India and its leaders should look inwards and introspect. It must play its `prophetic role’ which does not necessarily mean the current government bashing and concentrate on intensive and sustainable development in EACH parish on its 174+ dioceses. This development will be from the grassroots level – in education (basic to higher education), health and income generation. A study of Vatican-II and India’s Constitution, in particular the Constitutional Rights of the Minorities, can also be added in this development programme where Development Experts (and not sycophants) should be roped in. This development should be measurable by conducting periodic impact studies and activity-wise mapping of EACH parish. We may take a cue from the Archdiocese of Trichur which has recently done a Christmas programme to raise funds to build houses or to give land to the homeless. We are falling prey to a few Modi bashers (priests and so-called leaders) who want to hog the limelight to the peril of Laity.
The Archdiocese of Trichur’s Christmas initiative to provide houses or a piece of land for the homeless is very praiseworthy. Other dioceses should follow suit. There are many Christians who do not have a home of their own.
Trichur is a Syro Malabar diocese that prides itself on its oriental culture. So why use an Italian name for this event. Santa is an invention of Coca Cola having nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas. Terribly wrong messaging. 😢
The Catholic Church of Kerala is the most powerful branch of the Indian Catholic Church, and Trichur is the most powerful center of the Catholic Church of Kerala.